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At the end of August, the music of Estonian composer Arvo Pärt—celebrating his 90th birthday—will meet the electronic soundscapes of Aphex Twin in the big hangar of the Põhjala Factory. Aphex Twin, a global icon in electronic music, has openly cited Pärt as an influence, and critics have often drawn intriguing parallels between their works. The Põhjala Angaar, one of Estonia’s most distinctive venues, offers over 1,100 square metres of space beneath soaring twin vaults—an ideal setting to experience the resonance of Pärt’s tintinnabuli style alongside Aphex Twin’s immersive electronica. The concert programme is curated by Vambola Krigul.
In November, ERSO chamber ensembles return to Fotografiska, a venue that has become a firm favourite with audiences, for an exploration of music and artificial intelligence. Themed around questions like “Does AI appreciate art?” and “Is our future virtual, augmented—or simply real?”, the programme will feature music inspired by, derived from, or created in dialogue with AI. The selection is curated by ERSO clarinettist Taavi Orro. At the end of the evening, the audience will be invited to reflect on whether artificial intelligence can truly rival human creativity.
In early January, the focus of “Audiospaa” will be on ERSO’s cello section, joined on stage by the renowned vocal ensemble Vox Clamantis. The programme, curated by ERSO cello principal Theodor Sink, creates a compelling dialogue between the works of Arvo Pärt and Philip Glass. Glass’s minimalist sound world is represented by Façades, Secret Agent, and Attack and Fall, while Pärt’s meditative pieces include Missa brevis, Silouan’s Song, and L’abbé Agathon. The evening concludes with Hanging D, a reflective work by Dutch composer and pianist Joep Beving. The concert is conducted by Kaspar Mänd.
In the heart of winter, ERSO will bring the spirit of summer back to Tallinn’s unique indoor venue, Teras Beach, for a concert unlike any other. Instead of heading south, audiences will travel to Haabersti, where the former Teras mechanical and metalworking factory (active from 1956 to 1991) has been transformed into a tropical oasis. With year-round temperatures of 26°C and a floor covered in soft, warm sand, it’s the perfect escape from Estonia’s cold season. Forget your winter coats and boots—this is a symphonic experience in summer clothes. The concert will be led by ERSO’s Principal Conductor, Olari Elts.